IDF Summary of Activity in GazaOvernight, the IDF targeted approximately 100 medium- and long-range rocket launch and infrastructure sites across the Gaza Strip. This has significantly damaged the rocket launch capabilities and munitions warehouses operated by Hamas and other terror organizations.The aim of targeting these sites is to impair the rocket launching capability of terror organizations in the Gaza Strip and damage their further build-up.In addition, Israeli Air Force aircraft targeted several rocket launching squads as they prepared to fire rockets towards southern Israel. Furthermore, the IDF, using tank shells, targeted several terror activity sites throughout the Gaza Strip.Hamas has turned the Gaza strip into a frontal base for Iran, terrorizing the residents of the State of Israel with continuous rocket fire.The IDF will continue to target sites that are used to carry out terror attacks against Israeli citizens.

News Reports of Note

AP (via Detroit Free Press): Hamas Rockets Target Tel AvivPalestinian militants targeted densely populated Tel Aviv in Israel's heartland with rockets Thursday, part of an unprecedented barrage. Air raid sirens wailed and residents ran for cover in Israel's commercial and cultural capital. Hamas acknowledged it has Iranian-made Fajr-5 rockets capable of hitting targets some 47 miles (75 km.) away. Tel Aviv is 40 miles (70 km.) from Gaza. By nightfall Thursday, Hamas said it had fired more than 350 rockets into Israel. In the southern Tel Aviv suburb of Rishon Lezion, a Hamas rocket landed in an empty field.Full story at: http://www.freep.com/article/20121115/NEWS07/121115073/Palestine-Tel-Aviv-Israel-rockets

JTA: Senate resolution backs Israel’s actions in GazaThe U.S. Senate passed a resolution expressing support for Israel's "inherent right to act in self-defense."The non-binding resolution passed Thursday by unanimous consent.Originally drafted by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), it "expresses unwavering commitment to the security of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders, and recognizes and strongly supports its inherent right to act in self-defense to protect its citizens against acts of terrorism."By Thursday evening, it had garnered 64 cosponsors.The American Israel Public Affairs Committee in a statement praised "the leadership of Senators Gillibrand and Kirk, and the extraordinary show of support by the Senate for Israel’s struggle against terrorist attacks on its citizens."The resolution is the first such proposed legislation in the wake of Israeli airstrikes launched Wednesday in retaliation for rocket attacks from the Gaza StripUnlike statements of support for Israel's actions from the Obama administration, the Senate resolution does not call on both sides to exercise restraint or express regret at casualties on both sides."We strongly condemn the barrage of rocket fire from Gaza into Israel, and we regret the death and injury of innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians caused by the ensuing violence," Jay Carney, the White House spokesman, told reporters on Thursday. "There is no justification for the violence that Hamas and other terrorist organizations are employing against the people of Israel. We call on those responsible to stop these cowardly acts immediately in order to allow the situation to de-escalate."Full story at: http://www.jta.org/news/article/2012/11/15/3112036/senate-resolution-backs-israel-actions-in-gazaBBC News: Britain: Hamas to Blame for Gaza Crisis with IsraelThe Palestinian Islamist group Hamas "bears principal responsibility" for escalating tension in Gaza and Israel, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has said. "I utterly condemn rocket attacks from Gaza into southern Israel by Hamas and other armed groups." Rocket attacks from Gaza create "an intolerable situation for Israeli civilians in southern Israel, who have the right to live without fear of attack." "Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza should cease attacks against Israel immediately. I call on those in the region with influence over Hamas to use that influence to bring about an end to the attacks."

B'nai B'rith Statement

Israel Emergency Fund Opened

B’nai B’rith International has launched an Israel Emergency Fund in response to events in Israel and the Gaza Strip. Its goal is to raise funds to assist Israeli residents who are dealing with a barrage of rocket attacks from Hamas. Funds could also be used to help with the personal needs of Israel Defense Forces soldiers.> Make a donation today.

Gaza Briefings

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